Seven animal control officers receive badges following training

Seven animal control officers completed the inaugural badging ceremony with the Animal Control and Protection Agency on Friday.

The comprehensive, day-long course gave officers a deep dive into the intricacies of county-specific laws and regulations and extensive citation writing training. This program grants officers a two-year certification and will be conducted annually for eligible trainees.

Eligibility for this program requires six months to a year of dedicated training and experience. The successful completion of the badging ceremony signifies a pinnacle achievement in these officers’ careers and underscores their steadfast dedication to the welfare of the community’s animals.

Originally under the control of the police department, the Hawai‘i County Council approved the creation of a new Animal Control and Protection Agency in March, which began operating in July.

The new animal control officers are:

• Charde Silva
• Blake Cardines
• Halcy Clinton
• Charyse Emmons
• Jermy Dussan
• Kamalani Andrews
• Aurabingy Tafari

“Assuming the responsibility of animal control for our island has been a tall order made easier by the unwavering dedication and compassion of our Animal Control Officers,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “These individuals work tirelessly to care for the numerous animals residing on our island while simultaneously striving for the safety of our residents. Today, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to these officers for their accomplishments and wish them ongoing safety as they contribute to making our island a more pleasant place to live, work, and enjoy.”

Roth assures residents that work continues to be done to build out the Animal Control and Protection Agency in a broader effort to provide sufficient services to all areas of the community. Residents interested in applying for Animal Control and Protection Agency positions can visit jobs.hawaiicounty.gov for more information.

The police department has operated the animal control services for the past two years under a pilot project that was implemented when the short-lived contract with Hawai‘i Rainbow Rangers ended.